Base assembly for wall panel construction

ABSTRACT

A base plate assembly and method of forming a base plate assembly for use with a wall panel structure that is pleasing in appearance, simple in construction, and easy to install. The base plate assembly is generally unshaped with top and bottom flanges. Prongs are associated with the top flange that snap into slots on each side of the base of adjacent vertical members that hold wall panels. Slots are located in the bottom flange of the base plate assembly and fit over vertical tabs on each side of spaced supports that enable the height of the vertical members to be adjusted. Pivoting the base plate assembly upward about the vertical tabs allows the prongs to be inserted and locked in the corresponding slots in each side of the base of the adjacent spaced vertical members thereby forming a volume in which electrical wiring, including electrical outlets, may be located.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates in general to a base assembly for portable wall panels and, in particular, to a base assembly that encloses an area for containing electrical circuits and that is simply constructed and easy to assemble.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Frames for office partition systems are increasingly in use and require not only portability and ease of construction to reconfigure office space but also to include the necessary electrical wiring facilities for the connection of equipment such as computers, lighting, and the like.

[0005] There are many patents on such systems and representative patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,593,505; 4,918,886; 5,062,246; 5,209,035; 5,381,994; 5,487,246; 6,098,358; 6,235,988; 6,253,509; 6,301,846; 6,330,773; 6,351,917; 6,408,579; and 6,481,168.

[0006] The wiring facilities disclosed by these patents generally show an open space at the bottom of the structure that can be closed by panels on each side to provide a space for the electrical wiring and outlets.

[0007] As these patents show, there are many different ways of providing the space for electrical wiring. They are complex and difficult to manufacture as well as to assemble. It would be desirable to have a simple procedure and apparatus for providing such space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a simple method and apparatus that can be used to accommodate electrical wiring in such portable panels. In the invention, the outer face of a u-shaped base plate (or kick plate) can be viewed at all times. Simple tabs and slots are used to install the base plate on each side of, and below, the panels in a snap-in fashion to form a volume in which electrical wiring and outlets can be located.

[0009] At least one horizontal member is connected to adjacent vertical members near the base thereof to hold them in a spaced relationship.

[0010] Since the panels are movable, or portable, they need to have a foot, or slide feature, that will enable them to easily glide over floor surfaces. In the present invention, this feature is provided by a glide tower, or support. These supports are mounted at each end of a base rail where the outer ends of the base rail are connected to the supports to maintain them in spaced relationship. On each side of each glide tower or support there is a vertically extending tab on which the base plate is to be mounted by a corresponding slot in a bottom flange of the base plate. In the base of each spaced vertical member is a slot into which a projection or prong extending outwardly from a top flange of the u-shaped base plate can be inserted. Thus, to mount the base plate to the spaced vertical members, the slots in the bottom flange of the base plate are placed over corresponding tabs on each glide tower or support and then the u-shaped base plate is moved pivotally upward until the prongs or projections on the top flange of the base plate are snapped into the corresponding slots in adjacent vertical members. A base plate is mounted to tabs on each side of spaced glide towers or supports and to slots in the base of the vertical members to form an enclosed volume in which electrical wiring and outlets may be located.

[0011] At least one of the u-shaped base plates on either side of the spaced glide towers has window openings into which electrical outlets, for example, may be placed. If the window outlet is not to be used, a window cover is snapped in place over the window opening from the inside face of the u-shaped base plate or kick plate. It snaps into place between the top and bottom flanges that form the u-shape of the base plate with the top of the window cover fitting under a lip formed on the top flange and the bottom of the window cover having a detent that snaps into a recess formed in the bottom flange of the base plate. The window cover has an embossed area on its face that matches the window opening in the base plate so that when the window cover is placed over the window opening, the embossed area fills the window opening space to form a substantially smooth outer face on the base plate.

[0012] Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a base plate, or kick plate, for a wall panel system that is simple to install and easy to modify to create a customized wall panel system.

[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to place a support under the wall panel system that includes a locating tab on each side of the support for attaching the bottom flange of a base plate thereto with slots formed in the base of adjacent spaced vertical members for receiving corresponding prongs or projections on the upper flange of a base plate such that when the base plate slots are placed over the tabs on either side of the adjacent glide towers and the base plate is rotated upwardly, the prongs or projections extending from the upper flange of the u-shaped base plate are inserted, in a snap-in fashion, in the slots on either side of the base of the vertical members thereby providing an enclosed volume formed by the opposing u-shaped base plates, the horizontal member, and the base rail for containing electrical wiring and associated apparatus.

[0014] It is also an object of the present invention to provide covered window openings in at least one of the opposing u-shaped base plates such that, when needed, the cover on a window opening may be easily removed to accommodate an electrical outlet without the use of mechanical attachments such as screws.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a unshaped base plate having top and bottom flanges with a lip formed in the top flange and an opposing recess formed in the bottom flange such that the top edge of a window cover plate can be inserted under the lip formed in the base plate top flange and an opposing detent in the window cover bottom edge can be snapped into the recess formed in the base plate bottom flange.

[0016] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide the window cover with an embossed area that matches the window opening in the base plate such that when the window cover is placed over the window opening, the window cover embossed area fills the window opening to form a substantially smooth outer face on the base plate.

[0017] Thus, the invention relates to a base assembly used in wall panel construction in which spaced vertical members, each of which has opposing sides and a base, hold the wall panel and in which a horizontal member is coupled between the bases of adjacent vertical members to hold said vertical members in said spaced relationship, the base assembly comprising a support or glide member under each end of the horizontal member, each of the supports having opposing sides and a front; substantially vertically extending tabs formed on each side of each support; slots created in the opposing sides of the base of each vertical member; base plates with slots in a bottom flange corresponding to the vertical tabs on spaced supports and prongs in a top flange corresponding to the slots on the base of the spaced vertical members; and the slots in the base plate bottom flange receiving the vertical tabs on each side of spaced ones of the supports and the prongs on the base plate top flange being snapped into corresponding ones of the slots on each side of the spaced vertical members thereby creating an enclosed volume in which electrical wiring, including electrical outlets, can be located.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other objects of the present invention will be more fully disclosed when taken in conjunction with the following detailed description of the drawing in which like numerals represent like elements and in which the FIGURE is an exploded perspective view of the bottom of the panel assembly illustrating how the base plates are to be affixed thereto to form an enclosed volume in which electrical wiring and electrical outlets can be placed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0019] As can be seen in the FIGURE, an exploded perspective view of components of the lower portion of a wall panel assembly illustrates the components thereof and their relationship to each other.

[0020] The construction of the base assembly 10 involves the use of spaced vertical members 12 and 14. Panel boards (not shown) are attached to each pair of the vertical members 12 and 14 in a well-known fashion. Each of the vertical members 12 and 14 has a base 20. Connected between the bases 20 of adjacent vertical members 12 and 14 in any desired manner is a horizontal member 22. One of the functions of horizontal member 22 is to hold the bases 20 of the vertical members 12 and 14 in their spaced relationship. Each of first and second supports 24 and 26 has an upper post 28 that is inserted in a corresponding opening 30 in each end of horizontal member 22. Projection 32 on each support 24 and 26 is used to fasten the supports to horizontal member 22 with screws in a well-known fashion.

[0021] A leveling device comprises a bolt 34 that is inserted in an opening in the base of each support 24 and 26 by moving the bolt 34 in the horizontal direction as shown by arrow 36 and upwardly as shown by arrow 38. The bolt 34 is held in place with threaded nut 40 and may be screwed into and out of the support 24/26 to level the panels as needed.

[0022] A base rail 42 is connected between opposing front faces 43 of the supports 24 and 26. It can be seen that the base rail 42 and the horizontal member 22 are in spaced vertical relationship with each other and form a volume with open sides in which electrical wiring, including electrical outlets, my be enclosed by opposing base plates 48 as explained in detail hereafter. As can be seen in the FIGURE, each base plate 48 is substantially u-shaped and includes an outside face 49. A top flange 50 and a bottom flange 52 extend outwardly from at least a portion of the top and bottom edges 50 and 52 in a substantially perpendicular fashion to form the u-shape. A lip 54 is formed on the top flange 50. In addition, a prong or projection 62/64 is formed near each end of the top flange 50 of base plate 48. Further, a slot 58/60 is formed at corresponding spaced locations near each end of the bottom flange 52 of each of the base plates 48.

[0023] A vertically extending tab 44 and 45 is formed on each side of each support 24 and 26. These tabs 44 and 45 correspond to the slots 58/60 and are intended to be inserted in a corresponding one of the slots 58/60 on the bottom flange.

[0024] A slot 46 is formed in the base 20 on each of the sides 16/18 of the vertical members 12 and 14. These slots 46 are intended to receive a corresponding one of the prongs or projections 62/64 extending outwardly from the top flange 50 at each end of the base plates 48. Thus, when the slots 58/60 of the bottom flange 52 of base plate 48 are placed over corresponding ones of the tabs 44/45 on the supports 24/26 and is pivoted upwardly, the prongs 62/64 (extending outwardly from the top flange 50) snap-fit into corresponding ones of the slots 46 in the base 20 of each vertical member 12/14 and lock the base plates 48 on each side of the volume formed by and between horizontal member 22 and base rail 42 thereby enclosing the volume and forming a space for electrical wiring therein.

[0025] At least one window opening 63 if formed in the face 49 of each base plate 48 for receiving an electrical receptacle, such as an electrical outlet 65. A window cover 64 is removably located on the u-shaped side of the base plate 48 for covering the window opening 63 if it is not needed.

[0026] As can be seen, the window cover 64 is larger than the window opening 63. The window cover 64 is mounted on the inside fade 56 of u-shaped base plate 48 and has a top portion or upper edge 67 as shown that snap-fits under the lip 54 on the top flange 50. It also has a detent 69 extending downwardly from the bottom portion as shown. The bottom flange 52 of base plate 48 has a recess 70 for receiving the detent 69. Thus, when the detent 69 is placed into the recess 70 and the window cover 64 is pivoted upwardly about detent 69, its top portion or upper edge 67 snaps under the lip 54 on top flange 50 of base plate 48 and is thus held in place by the latent spring tension exerted by top and bottom flanges 50/56 of the base plate 48.

[0027] The window cover 64 has an embossed area 72 that mates with, and fills in, the window opening 63 in the face 49 of the base plate 48 so that when the window openings 63 are not used for electrical receptacles, the window cover 64, mounted in place on inside face 56 of u-shaped base plate 48, as indicated above, gives the outside face 49 of u-shaped base plate 48 a solid appearance that is esthetically pleasing.

[0028] Thus, there has been disclosed a novel base assembly and method of forming a base assembly that is pleasing in appearance, simple in construction, and easy to install. Simply place the slots in the bottom flange of the base plate over corresponding ones of the tabs on the spaced supports, pivot the base plate upwardly such that prongs extending outwardly from the top flange of the base plate are inserted in, and locked to, corresponding spaced slots in the base of each vertical member.

[0029] While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular apparatus and method set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A base assembly for wall panel construction in which horizontally spaced elongated vertical members retain wall panels; each of said vertical members having opposing sides and a base, and a horizontal member coupled to the base of adjoining vertical members for holding said base of said vertical members in said spaced relationship; the base assembly comprising: first and second elongated supports, each support having opposing sides and a front, each support being mounted under a corresponding end of said horizontal member; a base rail connected between opposing fronts of adjacent supports, said base rail and said horizontal member being in vertical spaced relationship with each other and forming a volume in which electrical circuits, including electrical outlets, may be enclosed; a vertically extending tab on each side of each support; a slot in the base of each vertical member on the same side as said vertically extending tab on each support; first and second u-shaped base plates, each base plate having inner and outer faces with top and bottom edges and first and second ends; a flange extending from at least a portion of each top and bottom edge of each base plate perpendicular to the inner face to form said u-shape; a slot in each end of the bottom flange of each base plate for mating with a corresponding tab on a side of each said support; and a projection extending outwardly from each end of each u-shaped base plate with the top flange for mating with a corresponding one of the slots in the base of each vertical member such that when said slots in the bottom flange of each base plate are placed over corresponding tabs on each side of each support and each base plate is pivoted upwardly about the corresponding tabs, the projections on each end of the top flanges of the base plate are inserted in the corresponding slots in the base of each vertical member and lock therein; said first and second base plates closing said volume between said base rail and said first horizontal member for containing said electrical circuits.
 2. The base assembly of claim 1 further comprising: at least one window opening in the face of at least one of said base plates for receiving an electrical receptacle; and a window cover on the inner side of said u-shaped base plate for covering said window opening when said window opening is not to be used.
 3. The base assembly of claim 2 wherein said window cover comprises: a plate larger than the window opening area in said base plate and having a top portion and a bottom portion; a lip on the upper flange of said base plate and a recess in the bottom flange of said base plate substantially opposing said lip; an embossed area on said window cover plate that mates with, and fills in, the window opening in the face of the base plate; the top portion of said window cover plate being received by said upper flange lip; and a detent on the bottom portion of said window cover plate being received by said bottom flange recess thereby enabling said window cover to be snapped in place over said window opening with said embossed area mating with said window opening.
 4. The base assembly of claims further comprising: a leveling stud associated with each support for enabling each vertical member to be individually adjusted in height in the vertical plane for leveling of the wall panels.
 5. The base assembly of claim 4 wherein each leveling stud is a threaded bolt that can be threaded into and out of each support.
 6. A base assembly used in wall panel construction in which spaced vertical members, each of which has opposing sides and a base, hold the wall panel and in which a horizontal member is coupled at its ends between the bases of adjacent vertical member to hold the bases of said vertical members in said spaced relationship, said base assembly comprising: a support under each end of said horizontal member, each support having opposing sides and a front face; substantially vertical tabs on each side of each support; slots created in the opposing sides of the base of each vertical member; and substantially u-shaped base plates having a bottom flange with slots therein corresponding to said vertical tabs of spaced supports and a top flange with associated prongs corresponding to said slots in the base of said vertical members; said slots in each base plate bottom flange receiving corresponding ones of said vertical tabs on each side of said spaced ones of said supports; and said slots on each side of the base of each spaced vertical member receiving said prongs on said top flange of said base plate in a locking relationship thereby creating an enclosed volume in which electrical circuits, including electrical outlets, can be located.
 7. A method of forming a base assembly used in wall panel construction in which spaced vertical members, each of which has opposing sides and a base, hold the wall panel and in which a horizontal member is coupled at its ends between the bases of adjoining vertical members to hold the bases of said vertical members in said spaced relationship, the method of forming said base assembly comprising the steps of: placing a support under each end of said horizontal member, each said support having opposing sides and a front; forming substantially vertical tabs on each side of each support; creating slots in the opposing sides of the base of each vertical member; forming base plates with slots in a bottom flange corresponding to said vertical tabs on spaced supports and prongs in a top flange corresponding to said slots on the base of spaced vertical members; and placing said slots in said base plate bottom flange over corresponding ones of said vertical tabs on each side of said spaced ones of said supports and snapping said prongs on said base plate top flange into corresponding ones of said slots on each side of said spaced vertical members thereby creating an enclosed volume in which electrical circuits, including electrical outlets, can be located.
 8. The method of claim 7 further including the steps of: forming at least one window opening in at least one of said base plates for mounting electrical outlets as needed; and placing a cover plate over any of said window openings that are not used, said cover plate having a top and a bottom edge and being snapped in place and held between said top and bottom flanges of said base plate.
 9. The method of claim 8 further including the step of forming an embossed area on said cover plate that corresponds to and fits within said window opening such that when said cover plate is snapped in place between said top and bottom flanges of said base plate, said embossed area fills said window opening.
 10. The method of claim 8 further including the steps of: forming an inwardly extending lip on the top flange of the base plate; forming a downwardly extending recess in the bottom flange of the base plate substantially opposing said lip; forming a detent on the bottom edge of the window cover plate for mating relationship with said recess such that when the detent on said window cover plate is placed in said base plate recess and said top edge of said window cover plate is placed under said lip, said window cover plate is held in place between said lip on said top flange and said recess on said bottom flange.
 11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: placing a leveling stud in each of the supports for the vertical members such that the height of each vertical member can be adjusted; and forming threads on said leveling stud so that threading the stud into and out of said supports changes the height of the vertical members 